KMT slams Cabinet over 4.2% growth in last three years

The Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) yesterday criticized the Yu Shyi-kun Cabinet as "broken down," pointing to what it called the nation's dismal economic state as proof of its failure.

Speaking on the day of the Cabinet's customary resignation, the KMT also expressed little optimism for the next Cabinet during a press conference.

"Over the past three years, the Yu Cabinet has constantly challenged opposition parties and created instability in the political arena," KMT spokesman Chang Jung-kung (張榮恭) said.

Chang said the nation only saw an average 4.2 percent growth in GDP per year, while over the three years prior to the transfer of power in 2000, the KMT government saw an average 5.3 percent growth.

Chang cited this difference as evidence that Yu's administration had "flunked." He added that this figure ranked behind those of the Philippines, Thailand and Indonesia.

Part of the reason for the Cabinet's failure, Chang said, was President Chen Shui-bian's (陳水扁) insistence on forming a "minority administration."

"In 2000, Chen had the excuse of just being elected when forming his `minority administration.' Three years ago, he had another excuse, because the pan-green camp saw an increase in legislative seats after the [2001] legislative elections. Now, in the face of fresh public opinion, as reflected in the pan-blue majority in the legislature, Chen has no more excuses," Chang said.

The KMT has urged Chen to nominate a pan-blue candidate for the next premier and allow him or her to assemble a Cabinet of their choice.